Introduction to Sociology Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

SOCI-1301-002 Introduction to Sociology

Prerequisites

RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills

Course Description

Introductory study of sociology with special emphasis on social groups, institutions, interaction and change.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Henslin, J. Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach, Core Concepts (4th Edition)

ISBN-13: 978-0205698301

You may also be able to find this book used at Amazon.com, as well as at BARNES and NOBLE online  at

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/textbooks-college-textbooks/379002366/

Sometimes these sellers have the books for less than the AC bookstore charges, if you want to order it in advance of the class. YOU MUST HAVE THE TEXTBOOK AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS! 

As well, you can go to Textbooks Direct and find good prices on used texts, OR rent the book. Go to:

http://www.directtextbook.com/prices/9780205698301

Supplies

You must have access to a working computer, and/or be available to work on campus during our computer lab and library hours.  It is your responsibility to have your computer working during the duration of this cour

Student Performance

This course is an excellent and informative learning experience for all behavioral science learners, along with law, business, medicine, social work, substance abuse counseling, child care, history and political science, as well as education majors.  General sociology gives an overview of the impact of our own and others societies on human development, along with how we as individuals influence our society. By the end of this course, learners should be able to:

STUDENT PERFORMANCE GOALS:

1)  Learners will gain a working knowledge as to how individuals impact society, social situations, culture, institutions, and groups and how society impacts and shapes individuals in the process of socialization.

2)  Learners will gain an understanding of how scientific methodology is applied to studying sociology.

3)  Learners will analyze the major concepts and theories in the field of sociology.

4)  Once learners develop these conceptual tools, they develop the ability to apply research findings and theories to real world social situations, such as dealing with race and ethnicity, culture, groups, conformity, gender issues, and family life.

5) Specific areas of study in sociology will be considered, such as crime and deviance, gender, race and ethnicity and prejudice, groups, and family life.

6)  Students will be assigned various social topics to research and/or discuss in class, including, but not limited to, the death penalty, health reform, gay marriage, and financial and political reform, as current and relevant social issues impacting their lives.

7)      By the end of this course, students will have a greater appreciation for diversity within societies, cultures and social institutions, and are able to think critically about issues in sociology that impact them. As well, students will be able to use this knowledge to better their own social relationships and society in practical ways.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Students are expected to engage in appropriate "netiquette" within the ONLINE PORTION OF THIS CLASS, and to engage in civil behaviors in the classroom portion of this course.  Inappropriate behaviors, such as swearing, discussion of inappropriate issues NOT related to the courseroom material, or any type of intolerance or rudeness to other learners will not be tolerated and may result in failing the class, or dismissal from Amarillo College. Treat others as you like to be treated and everything should be fine!

Now, having said that, please remember that this is an COLLEGE LEVEL COURSE, and we will be discussing controversial issues in an ADULT MANNER!  You are expected to act like an adult in these discussions and realize that others may think and feel differently than you on a host of issues related to sociology!  Diversity is a GREAT THING and to be APPRECIATED in this instructors opinion.  If you find something offensive that is said by another student OR your instructor, please don't hesitate to contact me and discuss this with me.  However, it's important to remember that this course is not designed to CONFIRM YOUR OWN POLITICAL or RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, but rather to get you to think about sociology, society, and people in a bigger way than you may have already been exposed to. IN THAT, YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF UNCOMFORTABLE AT TIMES, AS YOU ARE BEING REQUIRED TO STRETCH OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE! This is a part of what it means to get an education!  Obviously, learning to see the world in a different light is the goal of this course! 

If you have a complaint about this course, please contact me first.  If you are uncomfortable doing that, you may contact my supervisor, Mr. Jerry Moller at DURR 212A, 371-5297

If you have a concern that something you want to say or write could offend others in the classroom or in the AC ONLINE courseroom, run it by me first. Simply contact me via the courseroom email. As well, if you are aware of any student being mistreated or harrassed in this course (including yourself), please bring it to my immediate attention.  We have zero tolerance for any student being mistreated here at Amarillo College. This will be a SAFE place for the expression of ideas and exchanges! Remember, you are an adult and differences of opinion, beliefs, and ideas are a critical part of adult education! Thanks! Dr. Harding

Grading Criteria

The grading criteria for the course will be based on standard percentages of work done with 89.5 to 100% being an A, 79.5 to 89.4% being a B, 69.5-79.4% being a C, 49.5 to 69.4% being a D and below 49.5 being an F. 

Grades include the following: 

• 3 exams worth 100 points each.  Because exams are online and open for 1 week at a time, no make ups will be allowed.  Don't miss an exam AND YOU HAVE ONE FULL WEEK TO TAKE IT!   300 points total.
• Six class assignments worth 10 points each. These assignments may include 2 study guides (for exam 1 and exam 2 study guide), a collage, the death penalty paper and debate, and a paper over health care reform following a film and short quiz (25 pts).  You get to use your highest FIVE scores towards your assignment portion of your grade.  If you miss an assignment or get a low score on one, you can drop it or lose the 0 and still be okay in the class!
• Finally, I will be taking roll 12 times over the semester for 5 points each, and I will be counting 10 of those attendance points for a total of 50 points.  You are allowed to miss two classes that I take attendance.  If your attendance is perfect than it's like getting 10 extra points at the end of class! YEAH!!!!
• TOTAL NUMBER OF POINTS for your grade = 400 pts = 100%. 
• To see your grade, go to "ABOUT THIS CLASS" section on the COURSE HOMEPAGE BELOW the ANNOUNCEMENTS and NEXT TO THE SYLLABUS LINK.  CLICK WHERE it says "SEE YOUR GRADE" on THe COURSE HOMEPAGE.

I work hard to get your grades posted in a timely manner so you can view them and keep updated on your percentage, as I know your grades are important to you. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IMMEDIATELY IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO SEE YOUR GRADES OR YOU THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM!!!! IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO CONTACT ME RIGHT THEN AND NOT WAIT! In order to see your grades, go to the HOMEPAGE for this course, below the announcements, and you will see the link that says ABOUT THIS COURSE: Click here to see your grade.  You can check your grades frequently and it should be giving you a running total. If you see there is a problem, let me know right away!

PLEASE BE SURE TO KEEP ALL OF YOUR GRADED WORK IN THIS CLASS. IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH A MISSING GRADE, AND YOU DON'T KEEP THE WORK, THEN THERE IS LITTLE THAT I CAN DO ABOUT IT.  I TAKE YOUR GRADES SERIOUSLY, BUT I'M ALSO HUMAN AND MAKE MISTAKES IN GRADING. SOMETIMES PAPERS GET STUCK TO ANOTHER STUDENTS WORK, SO PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR WORK HAS A GRADE AND THAT YOU KEEP IT UNTIL YOU ARE SURE THAT THE GRADE HAS BEEN POSTED! THANKS!

Attendance

90% of success is SHOWING UP!  ~ Woody Allen

While it may be tempting to skip classes and wait until the last minute to do your homework assignments for this course, know that the #1 factor linked with good grades IS class attendance and consistent participation.  BE PREPARED FOR CLASS AND DO NOT MISS CLASS.  Attendance will be taken 12 times over the semester and this will also count towards your grade!  As well, you will have several films to watch, both online and in class, a classroom introduction of yourself as a member of your culture, a debate, and mutlipe class discussions regarding the material.  MISSING ANY OF our classes, or any of the films, discussions and study guide assignments IS HIGHLY DISCOURAGED!  You can maximize your grade by showing up, doing hte reading before class discussions and lectures, and doing the assignments!  This is not a hard class to get a high grade in...but it's a VERY HARD class if you fail to show up and do the work!

Calendar

Additional Information

Students will be evaluated on their performance in the following ways:

• 3 major exams each covering 3 or 4 chapters, films and class lecture material, as well as handouts that are required.  Each exam is worth 100 pts.  No grade is dropped. All exams are given online, and you will receive study guides for each exam.
• Assignments including labs over the films, a collage,a debate paper, two study guides, as well as a paper over a social topic, etc..  There will be a total of 50 points for assignments.
• Attendance points. Attendance will be taken 12 times over the semester worth 5 pts each. Some attendance points will be given for days we have in class labs, watch films, or have guest speakers. The other times, attendance will be taken randomly.  Ten out of the twelve attendance points will count towards 60 points of your final grade.  If you have perfect attendance, or are lucky enough to be here everytime attendance is taken, you would get 10 extra points on your final grade.  However, if you miss 2 classes, it won't count against you.

SOCIOLOGY THROUGH LECTURE, FILMS AND DISCUSSION

Dr. Harding's General Sociology course is designed to give students an opportunity to learn about, think about and discuss the dynamics of the human social situation.  For this course, which is A TRADITIONAL ON CAMPUS COURSE OFFERING, we HAVE 15 WEEKS TO cover ALL 10 chapters in the text.  Students will be responsible for reading the chapters BEFORE the lecture, watching films and completing labs over some of those films. We will be watching movies that include My Big Fat Greek Wedding, The Secret of the Wild Child, and THE CLASS DIVIDED online, as well as the PEOPLE BOMB and the Human Behavior Experiments in class.  Again, some films will be seen on the computer and other will be seen in class.  As well, students will be responsible for coming to class to engage in discussions, debate and lecture formats regarding the material from the films and chapters.  We will be discussing culture, prejudice, group influence, leadership styles, human development, conformity, society and how it has evolved over the centuries, race and gender, to name a few items.

FIND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION GO TO THE LINKS BELOW:

• AMARILLO COLLEGE LIBRARY:  http://www.actx.edu/library/
  • For help with your computer, or to use computers go to the second floor of the library.
• For information on how to do a research paper and search for references go to:
  • http://www.actx.edu/library/index.php?module=article&id=8#Research

• FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PLAGIARISM AND HOW TO AVOID IT: GO TO:

• http://www.actx.edu/english/index.php?module=article&id=14

• For help with your papers: go to Writers' Corner

  • Mission and Services:The Writers’ Corner staff firmly believe that good writing is an essential skill for being successful in college. Our main goal, therefore, is to help students become more confident and effective writers.Whether drafting research papers, preparing marketing proposals, or working on writing projects for any class at Amarillo College, students will benefit from one-on-one tutoring sessions with knowledgeable and encouraging tutors.  Our tutors review assignment requirements, provide constructive feedback, and guide students through all phases of the writing process.The Writers’ Corner is open to all students, regardless of academic discipline and skill level.

• We Offer:*One-on-one tutoring sessions with trained tutors,  small workshops throughout the semester covering various aspects of academic writing,  in-class presenations on the role of the Writers' Corner, a waiting area for walk-ins and early arrivals, coffee and donuts for students with appointments, EMAIL US AT: writerscorner@actx.edu
• OR stop by: LOCATION:  Ordway Hall, Room 102
• Hours of Operation:
  • Fall & Spring Semesters:Monday - Thursday  8:00 am to 4:00 pm and ClosedFriday, Saturday, and Sunday
  • Summer Sessions:  Monday - Thursday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and Closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday